Epidermoid carcinoma of the lip. Histologic grading in the clinical evaluation.

A retrospective microscopic evaluation of primary biopsies was carried out in a material of 438 patients with carcinoma of the lip. A multifactorial grading system consisting of 8 parameters, each sub-divided into 4 grades, was used. The degree of malignancy showed a statistically significant correlation to the frequency of metastases, frequency of recurrence or residual tumour, mortality and T classification. This grading system may allow a separation of risk groups in which special treatment and follow-up should be applied.